JCB machines past and present to feature at The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant

UK construction machinery specialist, JCB, confirmed that it has signed an agreement to become a Platinum Jubilee Pageant Partner, and will have its milestone machines spanning The Queen’s reign feature in the spectacular event scheduled to be held in London on June 5.

The Pageant will be the culmination of celebrations to mark The Queen’s 70 years on the throne. It will involve more than 10,000 people and tell the story of the monarch’s seven-decade reign through music, dance and fashion.

Taking a bow will be JCB backhoe loaders from landmark years of The Queen’s reign. Leading the way will be the Mark 1 JCB backhoe from 1953, the year of Her Majesty’s Coronation. Next in line will be iconic JCB 3CX backhoes manufactured in The Queen’s jubilee years of 1977, 2002 and 2012. Bringing the parade right up to date for Platinum Jubilee year will be a 2022 backhoe powered by hydrogen.

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“I am delighted that JCB is supporting the Platinum Jubilee Pageant as a Partner,” said JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford.

“It will be a very unique occasion and a wonderful way of saying thank you to The Queen for 70 years of service to our country and the Commonwealth.

"We are very proud to be taking part in the Pageant and proud of the role JCB machines have played over the course of the last 70 years in helping shape the world we live in today. We are also thrilled about a future where our machines will be powered by hydrogen and delighted to be able to highlight this technology.”

The event will culminate in front of Buckingham Palace and be watched by up to one billion people globally across multiple platforms. It will also be a rare public outing for JCB’s brand new hydrogen-powered machines, which are currently being developed by the Staffordshire-based company as it explores the potential of hydrogen as a zero emissions alternative to fossil fuels.